Parakeets under threat from virus

DEVASTATING EFFECTS: A healthy red-fronted parakeet provides sharp contrast to a bird severely affected by the beak and feather virus.Scientists are worried a virulent disease affecting parakeets is more widespread than thought. Recent work among native red-fronted parakeets on Little Barrier Island has confirmed their worst fears.

“We estimate in a sample of 54 parakeets about 25 per cent have the virus, we don't know what is the real percentage in the whole population," says scientist Luis Ortiz-Catedral

Beak and feather disease causes birds to lose their feathers, develop beak deformities, and weakens their immune systems.

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Double award for parakeet researcher

Luis Ortiz-Catedral holding a kakariki on Raoul Island, where he studied them last year.A biology doctoral researcher whose work has seen the return of endangered kakariki, or red-crowned parakeets, to two Hauraki Gulf islands and Auckland's mainland has won two awards.

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Parakeet breeding shows poison drop is working, says DoC

Kakariki on Matiu Somes. Image by Peter HodgeSightings of Kakariki on the Hauraki Gulf island of Motutapu shows the benefits of pest eradication, says the Conservation Department.

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Parakeets breeding near Auckland surprises expert

Red-crowned Parakeets, or Kakariki feeding on the flowers of a Cabbage Tree on Tiriitiri Matangi Island near Auckland. Image by DuncanThe native parakeet, the Kakariki, has caused excitement amongst researchers after breeding on Motutapu in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf.

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Conservation breakthrough as kakariki re-colonise remote island

A Kermadec red-crowned kakariki (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae cyanurus), seen in abundance on Raoul Island after a 150-year absence.The natural re-colonisation of kakariki on Raoul Island after a 150-year absence has set a unique international example for conservation management, University conservation researchers say.

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